Gas igniter



March 15, 1932. 5, JOHNSON 1,849,528

GAS IGNITER Filed DEC. 8, 1950 FIGJ.

B. 6, c/OHNJO/V INVENTOR BY ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 15, 1932 UNETEDSTATES PATENT QFFICE BURR C. JOHNSON, OF PORT NECHES, TEXAS, ASSIGNOR TOTHE TEXAS COMPANY, OF

NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE GAS IGNITER Application filedDecember 8, 1930.

My invention relates to igniters and more particularly to a pyrophoricdevice for use in the igniting of gas burners or torches or wherever anatural or artificial gaseous fluid may be discharged, the principalobject of the invention being to provide an igniter which may be usedwith safety and which cannot be accidentally operated in a manner tocause an unintended fire or explosion.

With the gas igniters now in use wherein a pyrophoric substance isadapted to be moved over and in contact with a relatively fixed frictionelement, it often happens that the igniter is carried in the pocket of aWorkman or attached to his belt, and is thus in such a position thatshould the operator accidentally brush against an obstruction or perhapssit upon the igniter, a shower of sparks might be given 01f which, ifoccurring near a source of gas or inflammable liquid or within a gaseoustank, would result in a fire or explosion.

In accordance with my invention I have provided a gas igniter with asafety device which will prevent accidental relative movement of theparts of the igniter while in no way interfering with the intentionaluse thereof. In carrying out my invention I 39 have provided a smallreceptacle secured to the frame of the igniter and in which thepyrophoric metal or flint will be securely held against unintentionalmovements with respect to the other parts of the igniter.

For a better understanding of my invention reference may be had to theaccompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a top or plan View of anigniter embodying my invention while Figs. 2 and 3 are respectively sideand end views thereof.

Referring to the drawings a U shaped frame 10 of suitable spring wireserves to support a friction member 11 and a spark producing element 12.The frame 10 is preferably formed with a loop or coil 13 to aid ingiving resiliency to the device, and a second coil 14 at one side topermit the igniter to be more easily held in the hand. One end of theframe 10 is clamped or otherwise secured to a supporting member 15 whichSerial No, 500,685.

is provided with an enlarged flat portion 16 and a pair of side portions17 and 18. Between the side portions 17 and 18 is mounted the frictionelement 11 which is preferably cylindrical and is rotatably supported ona fixed shaft or rod 19 so that it can be turned as desired. It is to beunderstood that the member 11 has a roughened surfaceupon which thepyrophoric metal 12 may be moved to produce a spark or series of sparks.The pyrophoric metal 12 is suitably secured to the other end of theframe 10 such as by means of a cap 20 which may be threaded to thedownturned end of the frame 10.

In order to prevent unintentional operation of the igniter, I haveprovided a receptacle 21 which may be formed of a short piece of metaltubing and which is secured to the side portion 18 of the supportingmember 15 by suitable means such as by soldering. The upper rim of thereceptacle 21 is preferably turned slightly inwardly as at 22.

After the igniter has been used, the side of the frame 10 having thespark producing member 12 attached thereto is lifted slightly and themember 12 is lowered into the receptacle 21. The spring of the frame 10will cause the cap 20 to engage the inner surface of the receptacle 21and the inwardly turned rim 22 will prevent the spark producing memberfrom slipping out of the receptacle.

When it is desired to use the igniter the side of the frame is liftedand the pyrophoric member 12 placed upon the friction element 11. Bysqueezing the sides of the frame together a shower of sparks will thenbe produced to ignite the gas, after which the spark producing member 12may be returned to its position within the receptacle 21.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the invention, ashereinbefore set forth, may be made without departing from the spiritand scope thereof, and therefore only such limitations should be imposedas are indicated in the appended claims.

What I claim is 1. In a pyrophoric device, a resilient frame, a frictionelement secured to one end of said frame, a spark producing membersecured to the other end of said frame for engagement with said frictionelement, and means for holding said spark producing member out ofengagement with said friction element when the device is not in use.

2. In a igniter, a U shaped supporting frame. a friction member having aroughened surface secured to said frame, a pyrophoric member alsosecured to said frame, and a receptacle supported by said frame andfriction member and adapted to hold said pyrophoric member when not inuse.

3. In a pyrophoric device, a resilient frame, a friction element securedto one end of said frame, a spark producing member secured to the otherend of said frame for engagement with said friction element, and meansfor holding said spark producing member out of engagement with saidfriction element when the device is not in use, said means comprising areceptacle secured to said frame and having an inwardly turned rim forengaging said spark producing member.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 18th day ofNovember, 1930. BURR- C. JOHNSON.

